The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of the Environment, managing body of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.), opens today the deadline for the submission of projects to the Empleaverde Programme, the new initiative of the Biodiversity Foundation for the improvement of employment and the environment. Within the framework of this programme, the Foundation will manage the funds allocated to it by the Operational Programme for Adaptability and Employment of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.) for the period 2007-2013.

The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of the Environment, managing body of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.), opens today the deadline for the submission of projects to the Empleaverde Programme, the new initiative of the Biodiversity Foundation for the improvement of employment and the environment. Within the framework of this programme, the Foundation will manage the funds allocated to it by the Operational Programme for Adaptability and Employment of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.) for the period 2007-2013.

These projects can last one or two years, their budget will range between 400,000 and 950,000 euros and they will receive co-financing from the European Social Fund of 80% or 50%, depending on the regions in which they are developed.

The projects are presented and executed by non-profit entities, such as business associations and federations, chambers of commerce, universities or administrations. The entities that present the project can find the financial support for the co-financing they need in companies or non-profit entities. All the actions of the projects will be free of charge for workers and companies.

They will be initiatives that promote eco-innovation, enhance business sustainability and promote change in traditional companies to implement new ways of management. Therefore, projects that achieve real results for the benefit of workers, companies and the environment are sought.

The actions of the projects of the Empleaverde Programme can be very varied: courses; Days; Congresses; awards and competitions; Diagnostics; studies or the edition of informative and informative material. Information and communication campaigns and personalised advice to workers and companies will also be supported.

Some topics of interest to the Programme are: water, climate change, renewable energies, environmental technologies, waste management, organic farming and environmental responsibility.

The projects will be aimed at workers and managers of SMEs and micro-SMEs; self-employed workers; liberal professions (lawyers, economists, or journalists); agricultural workers (farmers, ranchers, shepherds, day laborers, forest and farm guards, among others); and education professionals. The programme also pays special attention to women, the disabled, immigrants, people over 45 years of age and low-skilled workers. Also to those workers located in areas subject to depopulation, rural areas, protected areas and Biosphere Reserves; as well as those workers in the environmental sector, that is, those who carry out activities both in the production of goods and in the provision of services that aim to prevent, minimize or recover alterations in natural systems.

An e-mail, empleaverde@fundacion-biodiversidad.es and a direct telephone number 91 185 78 38 have been set up to resolve any doubts that may arise. Likewise, all the information about this call can be consulted on the website of the Biodiversity Foundation www.fundacion-biodiversidad.es